Chamber Membership is a Positive Perception

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

January 26, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

Late in 2012, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in cooperation with the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.), commissioned The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, to conduct a national survey* to measure the impact of chamber membership upon businesses.  The findings weren’t a surprise to those in the “chamber world”, but it did provide these organizations with relevant and useful data.

Summarizing the findings, the survey affirmed that chamber membership does indeed affect consumer perception-- in positive fashion.  The data indicated that customers had an enhanced perception of businesses which were active in their local chamber of commerce. Those surveyed felt that these businesses were very likely to be customer focused, reputable, deliver quality goods and services, and recognize the overall importance of community involvement.  Quite often the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce receives feedback from members that while anecdotal, serves to reinforce the findings of the 2012 survey.  

The image that customers (and potential customers) have of businesses is a complex blend of both tangible and intangible factors - and chamber membership could be one of those factors.  Do you believe that your marketing toolbox is complete or could it be tweaked to become more effective?  I can assure you that here at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce we are always looking for new ideas or ways to hone existing processes and improve our effectiveness as advocates for  the business community.  In reality, our “business” also benefits in much the same manner as do our members from Chamber-related activities and programs.

If you are already a member of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, I want to express my deep gratitude for your membership. I see it as a statement of your commitment to business in our region and fully recognize it as an investment in your business.  It is the Chamber’s responsibility to help you realize a return on that investment; a duty we do not take lightly.  You can remain confident that the board of directors and chamber staff is working very hard to ensure our operations are efficient and relevant to you--our customers.

If you are not yet a member of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, I encourage you to consider the findings of the survey I mentioned in the opening paragraphs.   Please feel free to contact me or Martha Sanford at 540-825-8628 (email marthas@culpeperchamber.com) so we can play an effective role in your business strategy.

*If you would like to read highlights, or the entire Schapiro survey, you may access it here:  http://www.culpeperchamber.com/chamber/join.asp .